Over 80% Shun Robots in Care Sector, Demand Human Touch

Is the UK shaking its head at AI Care?

Almost 80% of Brits are saying no to robots in the bedside

A fresh survey from Randstad went head‑to‑head with over 2,000 people, and the result is crystal clear: 83 % think robots should stay out of the care industry. Only 17 % are on board with AI stepping in to ease the skills crunch.

Why the split‑sided vibe in the UK?

The care sector is drowning in a talent shortage – the number of care workers is shrinking while the demand keeps pouring in.

Younger people are skipping a career in care because the pay doesn’t match the job’s hard demands.

Robots can juggle the boring tasks, remind patients about medication, and even keep a little company – but the public perception remains lukewarm.

A May 2018 report gave the UK a 48 % favourable view of AI in the workplace – a stark contrast to 59 % worldwide and a whopping 88 % in China.

What Randstad’s execs see

“We hear from care workers every day that salary and time pressure are their biggest hassles,” says Victoria Short, Randstad’s public‑services MD.“Because people don’t trust AI and robotics in care, we need to highlight the perks that could make the job easier and more rewarding. By coupling tech with the right human skills, we can keep the most vulnerable in safe hands.”

Robots: the unsung heroes in trials

Medication reminders

Menial chores

Companions

Pilot projects across the UK and overseas show that full automation could free up £12.5 bn worth of staff time for the NHS – a jackpot if the workforce can’t keep up.

The Department of Health’s push

A £3 m boost to a nationwide recruitment drive in February and March.

Big spend on developing AI solutions, yet still facing high resistance from the public.

Samsung’s shiny new Bot Care is on the radar

The tech giant unveiled the Bot Care robot at CES, which can check a patient’s BP in minutes. But with 84 % of people unwilling to trust a robot for health care, will such gadgets ever become the mainstay of patient care?

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Bottom line* – The UK’s care sector is in a crunch, AI has the potential to help, but public trust has to catch up before robots can step into the nursing room.